Leather seats add a touch of class to any car. It is also the perfect material to use for car seats because of its durability. A leather seat can last as long as you own your car if you take steps to properly maintain it and keep it in good condition.
Still, leather can get stained and worn as it ages. Rather than simply replace the old leather with new, however, you can repair leather car seats to the point where they can look new again. It is a money saver and a great investment in the overall appearance of your car.
Car Seat
The first step is to color match the leather. If you are unsure of what the original color is, you can remove a strip from underneath the seat and mail the sample to the company who supplied the leather for the seats. They can usually aid you in color matching your leather. Knowing the original color will help you select a leather restoration product designed to preserve the right color while you repair leather car seats.
Next you should thoroughly clean the surface of the leather. Vacuum the seats and use a damp sponge or cloth to apply leather cleaner and remove grime and dirt from the seams. For hard-to-remove grime, you can switch to a soft bristle brush. Extra caution should be taken though to not scratch or tear the leather. Once you have thoroughly cleaned the leather, wipe away any lingering cleaner residue and allow the leather to dry.
After cleaning, it is time to apply liquid leather. Check for any worn or faded spots before applying and use sandpaper to smooth out some of these imperfections. Apply the first dose of liquid leather in a small test area to verify that it matches the original color. Once you have matched the color, use a soft bristle brush or a sponge to apply a larger coat of the liquid leather.
When you apply the liquid leather over creases and cracks, you should first dilute it with water. A good rule of thumb is mix together one-third water and two-thirds liquid leather, so the product coats properly. After rubbing the mixture into the leather, let it dry for at least a minute. Then use a cloth to wipe away the mixture. It should fill the cracks, but come off the good portions of leather.
For places where the leather color has worn off completely, you should apply an undiluted portion of liquid leather. You can apply a thin coat to the worn area three times and dry it out thoroughly with a blow dryer between each application. One final coat composed of 1/5 water should be applied, then the area is wiped down with a dry cloth.
When you choose to repair leather car seats, it is much more cost effective than simply going in and removing the old leather and installing new leather in its place. If you take the time and effort to repair leather, it can return a sense of newness to your car seats.
Repair Leather Car Seats To Look Like New
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